Media Contacts
Marguarite Clark
Marguarite Clark Public Relations
(949) 295-2081

Autumn Strier
Miracles for Kids
(714) 730-3040

For Immediate Release
(Photos available Upon Request)

This Week More Than 160 Southern California Families Received
A Special Holiday Surprise

Irvine, Calif. (December 19, 2008)…Thanks to busy and hardworking volunteers from around Southern California, more than 160 families felt the spirit of the season this week when baskets stuffed with everything from food to toys arrived on their doorsteps.

“We hope that by providing these gift baskets we were able to alleviate some of the stress associated with the holidays,” says Miracles for Kids’ executive director, Autumn Strier, “Especially as these families are already struggling with personal and financial crises.”

Each basket contained a 5 pounds of chicken, eggs, vegetables, canned and dry goods, holiday blankets and towels, and toys and games. Newport Harbor High School’s student body collected and donated 500 toys and a few students took time to write letters to some of the children currently admitted to Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC).

“The volunteers were incredible,” says Strier. “They did everything from collect donations, to load and unload the warehouse, to drive trucks. In fact, one of our drivers was a chef in Laguna Beach!”

The baskets were assembled by volunteers on Friday, December 12, in Irvine and then transported to a warehouse in Corona. Between December 16 and December 18, four trucks were loaded with goodies each day and delivered to families throughout Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

Basket of Miracles, a program sponsored by Miracles for Kids, along with local businesses, organized the assembly and delivery of plentifully stuffed holiday baskets to families needing financial assistance and cheer for the holidays. Support came from the following businesses: LBA Realty, Houdini Inc., Royal Household Products Inc., Pacifica Foods LLC, Red Rock Security & Cabling, US Trust Bank of America Private Wealth Management, Kohl’s Rancho Santa Margarita, Champion Paving, Target, Bed, Bath & Beyond, WalMart, Ryder and General Petroleum Inc.

About Miracles for Kids
Founded in 2001, Irvine-based Miracles for Kids’ mission is to improve the lives of children with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. The organization accomplishes this mission by providing families with the financial support necessary to cope with a child’s illness; by providing funds to non-profits and other entities that support or conduct research focused on eradicating life-threatening childhood diseases and by serving as an advocate for children and families who are fighting life-threatening illnesses.

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Love is the light.

Foward is the motion.